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The Sommet Center
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The Sommet Center
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& Scores
THOUSANDS TURN OUT IN GRAND FASHION TO CHECK ARENA'S INNARDS By Rob Moritz
Banner Staff Writer
Rose Carter did something she never thought she'd do -- go into a hockey player's locker room.
"It's a unique opportunity,'' Carter said Sunday while standing just outside the empty locker rooms in the basement of the new downtown arena. "I wanted to see them now, when they're clean. It's the first time I've ever been in a men's locker room.''
The Hermitage woman was among more than 26,000 people who converged on the new arena for its free grand opening to the public Sunday afternoon.
Along with visiting the plush suites, upper-deck seats, backstage area and the main floor where hockey, basketball and arena football will be played, thousands also toured the locker rooms and dressing rooms.
Other popular pursuits in the basement included inspecting the Zamboni, the vehicle that resurfaces the ice rink, checking out the rink's ice machine and wandering around in the area where the media will interview people and develop photographs.
The sunny, warm Sunday afternoon and festive atmosphere -- music and free sodas and hot dogs for everyone -- were just what the arena officials had hoped for, said Russ Simons, vice president of Leisure Management International, the arena's manager.
"This is for me the final period in the end of the sentence, turning it over to the public,'' said Mayor Phil Bredesen.
"I'm a very happy guy,'' Simons said.
On May 13, 2003 Ryan Voshell wrote: The The Sommet Center is a great hockey building, even if the hockey played in it isn't always great.
In a southern, football crazy city, it had to be a great building to draw interest to hockey. The building is easy to navigate and there is always a concession stand and restroom nearby. There is not a bad seat in the house, and that is from someone who has sat everywhere between the second row to the very top row. On most nights you will see a country music star or a member of the Titans in attendance. When the hometown Predators score a goal, fans seated near a giant can ofEdge Shave Gel get showered by confetti.
Fans in Nashville expect a good effort from it's players every night, fueled by the success of the Tennessee Titans. There is often unfair expectations placed on the Predators because of that, but the fans continue to learn and appreciate the game. The GEC was named loudest building in the NHL in it's first season and a banner hangs to recognize the Predators 7th man "The Fans". The loudest section by far has to be section 303, also known as "Cellblock 303" where colorful chants and cheers rain down to the ice throughout the entire game.
Although the building hasn't seen the best hockey from the Predators yet, it does seem to bring out the best individual performances by visiting players. The one moment that stands out most above all others, is the night that the Ney York Rangers visited with Wayne Gretzky. It was The Great One's only game in the GEC and he did nothing to tarnish his reputation by racking up five assists. Fans have seen great performances by the likes of Peter Forsberg, Kieth Tkachuk and Luc Robitaille. Although the fans appreciate these efforts, nothing will get the building rock like a big hit from Scott Hartnell, a last second goal by Scott Walker or a sensational save by goaltender Tomas Vokoun.
It is a very exciting time to be a hockey fan in Nashville, with a feeling that the Predators are right on the edge of becoming a top contender. And when the team finally turns the page and moves to the next level, there will be no better building to watch a game in than the The Sommet Center.
Sincerely,
Ryan Voshell
The The Sommet Center is the cornerstone of an incredible explosion of entertainment and business development in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. This state-of-the art arena is designed to host a variety of events from sports and family shows to concerts and conventions. The arena is convenient to three major interstate highways and is linked to the Nashville Convention Center, Renaissance Nashville Hotel and Church Street Centre Mall by a climate controlled walkway. The Nashville Arena is a show piece for the city whose reputation for music, entertainment and hospitality is world renowned. Nashville is one of the hottest cities in America and the new The Sommet Center is topping the charts! Here are a few quick facts about Nashville's newest venue:
- The Arena design features a 22-story tower that houses in its base the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau visitors' center and a small theater.
- A tribute to Nashville's musical heritage, the entrance to the Arena is positioned on the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue to face the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. The architects designed this as a tribute to Nashville's music roots.The arena features:
Technical Information
Seating Capacity:
- 20,000 In the round
- 18,500 Proscenium stage
- 10,000 Half house (masking curtain)
Electrical:
- Four thousand (4,000) amps power located in two backstage areas.
Directly Backstage:
- Four (4), 400 amp per leg, 30-240 v., fused disconnect
- Two (2), 200 amp per leg, 30-240 v., fused disconnect
- 2,000 amps total
Stage Left Rear:
- One (1) 800 amp per leg, 30-240 v., fused disconnect
- Two (2) 400 amp per leg, 30-240 v., fused disconnect
- Two (2) 200 amp per leg, 30-240 v., fused disconnect
- 2,000 amps total
Designated house electricians to make all connections.
Lighting:
Arena seating bowl lighting consists of metal halide floodlights with 3400 Ok lamp color temperature and 65 minimum color rendering index to provide light levels ranging from 30 foot candles in the horizontal plan for conventions, tradeshows, etc., and a minimum of 200 foot candles in the vertical plane for televised events.Loading Dock:
Located at the South end of the building and accessible through the service ramp at Sixth Ave. and Clark Place, the 30,000-sq. ft. loading dock can accommodate up to 24 buses and trailers. Dock entrance 20' x 16'7" with direct floor access through 22'x15' door. Overhead door and closed circuit cameras ensure security.Freight Elevator:
One (1) Class C1 10,000-lb.-capacity traction elevator equipped with 8' x 8' bi-parting doors accessible to high steel (125) feet. A second similar sized freight elevator with access to each level is dedicated to food service operations.Spotlights:
Twelve (12) spotlight platforms equipped with four (4) Super Trooper II's and eight (8) Strong Gladiator III's.Staging:
One (1) 40'x60' stage with 12' x 24' sound wings featuring bridging or floating deck design, complete barricade system and ADA compliant ramp.Dressing Rooms:
Five (5) star dressing rooms ands three (3) team/chorus dressing rooms each equipped with bath and shower facilities located in immediate backstage area.Green Room:
1,500 sq.ft. equipped with catering pantry and two (2) separate bath and shower facilities.Rigging:
Tubes and "H" beams are located 125' from floor in a square grid pattern, approx. 10'-12' between beams with a total end stage live load capacity of 120,000 lbs. and a total center stage capacity of 80,000 lbs. Maximum pick point capacity ranges from 4,000 lbs. to 8,000 lbs. per tube or beam. All rigging plans, including desired hanging points, must be submitted to the The Sommet Center operations department prior to tickets going on sale. Safety lines are required on all rigging points located over seating area.Production Offices:
Four (4) offices located in immediate backstage area equipped with telephone and cable TV outlets.Backstage Dining:
1,800 sq.ft. dining area located in backstage area.Ticket Office:
Full-service ticket office providing computerized ticketing, remote outlets and telephone order service for all events. Daily ticket office with fifteen (15) windows located at main entrance and event ticket office with five (5) windows located at south entrance. Daily WILL CALL ticket pick up, dedicated credit card windows and ATMs are available for patron services.Security:
Local off-duty police officers, private uniformed security guard service and peer group security available.Sound:
Six (6) public address sound clusters located in the high steel supported with nine (9) sound delay speakers at the sound end.Disabled Patron Services:
Seating for patrons with disabilities is available on each level. Accessible parking is available in attached garage and all entrances into the arena are accessible. PHONIC EAR is available on request and T.D.D.s are located at phone banks on the main concourse level. All concession stands and restrooms (including eight (8) unisex restrooms) are accessible.Directions
Coming to Nashville Arena from West Tennessee on I-40:
Follow Nashville signs and exit on Broadway (209B). Turn left on Broadway and Nashville Arena will be on your right, between 6th and 5th Avenue.Coming to Nashville Arena from East Tennessee on I-40:
Follow I-40, take the Memphis fork, exit on Broadway (209A). Turn right on Broadway and Nashville Arena will be on your right, between 6th and 5th Avenue.Coming to Nashville Arena from the South on I-65:
Stay North on I-65 to I-40 West towards Memphis, exit on Broadway 209A). Turn right on Broadway and Nashville Arena will be on your right between 6th and 5th Avenue.Coming to Nashville Arena from the East on I-24:
Follow I-40 West towards Memphis, Exit on Broadway (209A). Turn right on Broadway and Nashville Arena will be on your left between 6th and 5th Avenue.Coming to Nashville Arena from the Northwest on I-24:
Follow the 265 Memphis loop, take the 40 West fork following the Nashville signs. Exit on Broadway (209A), turn left on Broadway and Nashville Arena will be on your right between 6th and 5th Avenue.GAYLORD BUYS NAMING RIGHTS TO NASHVILLE ARENA
August 5, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVenturesGaylord Entertainment Co will pay $80 million over 20 years for naming rights to the Nashville Arena. The venue will be called the Gaylord Entertainment Center. The venue is home of the NHL Predators, which are 20% owned by Gaylord. The team gets all naming rights revenue.
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